Blackboard Foundations Course

Blackboard Foundations is designed to give instructors essential skills for teaching online using the tools found within the Blackboard Learning Management System. After completing this course, you should know how basic tools function within the online course environments, and walk away with tips and best practices for making your online course a success.

We are excited that you have chosen to complete this course. Remember this course is offered both online and in person. (Click Here To Find Times and Dates For The Face To Face Sessions)

Recommended Apple and Android Apps

Duolingo (iOS and Android)

This app will help you learn a language on the go. Whether you are waiting for a meeting or on the rail on the way to lunch, spend it leveling up your proficiency in the language of your choice.  You can take quick assessments to skip levels or go through the lessons.

Evernote (iOS and Android)

One of the best note-taking app in both the iOS and Android app store, this app will let you write, record, and capture your notes and store them in the cloud. Use its tag and notebooks system to organize your notes and make them easier to find.

Note: Be sure to check out our class on Evernote by Devin Dabney. 

 Evernote Scannable (iOS only)

This app is from the same company as Evernote. It scans and captures images of your papers to save and share. Reduce your paperwork and hassle by keeping a copy of your papers online.

iStudiez Pro (iOS, OSX and Windows)

Voted the Best College Student App of 2011, it lets your students track their schedule, office hours, affiliation, and contact information. It has a special section for keeping track of their assignments and managing their tasks. Your students can track their Grade or GPA based on the assignments and supports weighted or non-weighted assignments, the GPA calculator is available for past and current semesters. Last of all, it will notify your students of pending tasks and upcoming classes and events. If you see a lot of students using their mobile devices, you can recommend this app. It also has a free version called iStudiez Lite

Using Zoom in the Classroom

What is Zoom?

Zoom is a software tool that unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, and group chat into one easy-to-use platform.  The University of Houston-Downtown released it to faculty, staff, and students in the fall of 2014

What are some ways I can use Zoom for office hours?

• You can pre-schedule upcoming office hours sessions - By scheduling an upcoming meeting in Zoom, you can generate a link that can be shared with students to virtually join you at the appropriate time.
• You can meet with individual students about assignments or tests - If you would like to meet with a student form the comfort of your office or home, you can start a meeting and invite the student to join your directly from Zoom.
• You can meet with groups to discuss projects - Because Zoom has functionality to allow up to 25 people to join a virtual meeting, you can also meet with groups who may have a desire to discuss a project, presentation, or assignment.

What are the benefits?

• Zoom is provided, free of charge, for all faculty, staff, and students.
• Zoom is very easy to install and use
• Zoom allows for recording meetings
• Zoom allows for screen share for the host and participants
• Zoom can be used even if a user does not have a webcam or the ability to show video
• Zoom is simple enough, yet robust enough to help you accomplish most of your desired meeting tasks 

How do I get Zoom?

Zoom can be downloaded from the UHD portal at http://uhd.zoom.us.  For a quick video on signing into Zoom visit https://uhdhml.uhd.edu/Play/181

If you are interested in further training on Zoom, please check our training page for upcoming dates or simply contact someone in the TTLC to schedule a one-on-one session.